Kerala hailed, as God's own country, by many, deserves this accolade because of many features geographical and sociological. A long coastline in the west and mountains on the east forms a clear natural boundary. Religion has played a crucial role in Kerala's culture. There are mainly three religions in Kerala - Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. As far as the religion of Kerala is concerned, the origins could be traced to Hinduism.
After Hinduism the Islamic faith and Christianity came with its various sects. The other Indian religions like Buddhism; Jainism had some influence among the Hindus and was found scattered with their migration to Kerala.
Christianity
The Syrian Christians of Kerala believe that St. Thomas, one of the direct disciples of Christ landed near Muziris in 52 AD and established 7 churches, of which 4 exist even today. The Portuguese who arrived in 1498 AD introduced Latin rites. Later, during the British rule, the Church Mission Society of London began its work in the country.
Hinduism
Earlier inhabitants (Dravidians) of Kerala followed primitive animism and spirit worship to propitiate the Gods. With the arrival of Aryans settler from the north India, the human forms of worship and caste division were evolved. But history is silent about worship of Goddess (Baghavathy). Only in Kerala and West Bengal Goddess Baghavathy is worshipped as the main deity. Mythology doesn't say much about Baghavathy. For many Keralites, Baghavathy is the family deity. Most of the festivals in Kerala are in depiction of Baghavathy.
Even today many temples in Kerala has mother (Baghavathy) and animism (snake worship) has their main deity. Kerala Tourism will make one feel the importance of the Goddess as most of the temples in Kerala worship Baghavathy.
Islam
Islam is believed to have entered into India through Kerala. There are historical records of commercial trading between Kerala and Middle East during 7th Century AD. The Jews and Arabs of the Pre-Islamic period were among the pioneers of spice trade with Kerala. The religion of Islam was also by these traders from Middle East, who later settled in Coastal belt of Kerala. To this day Muslims are very proficient in trade and commerce. Muslims in Kerala, as anywhere else in the world, are close-knit unit clear-cut religious and political agenda.
After Hinduism the Islamic faith and Christianity came with its various sects. The other Indian religions like Buddhism; Jainism had some influence among the Hindus and was found scattered with their migration to Kerala.
Christianity
The Syrian Christians of Kerala believe that St. Thomas, one of the direct disciples of Christ landed near Muziris in 52 AD and established 7 churches, of which 4 exist even today. The Portuguese who arrived in 1498 AD introduced Latin rites. Later, during the British rule, the Church Mission Society of London began its work in the country.
Hinduism
Earlier inhabitants (Dravidians) of Kerala followed primitive animism and spirit worship to propitiate the Gods. With the arrival of Aryans settler from the north India, the human forms of worship and caste division were evolved. But history is silent about worship of Goddess (Baghavathy). Only in Kerala and West Bengal Goddess Baghavathy is worshipped as the main deity. Mythology doesn't say much about Baghavathy. For many Keralites, Baghavathy is the family deity. Most of the festivals in Kerala are in depiction of Baghavathy.
Even today many temples in Kerala has mother (Baghavathy) and animism (snake worship) has their main deity. Kerala Tourism will make one feel the importance of the Goddess as most of the temples in Kerala worship Baghavathy.
Islam
Islam is believed to have entered into India through Kerala. There are historical records of commercial trading between Kerala and Middle East during 7th Century AD. The Jews and Arabs of the Pre-Islamic period were among the pioneers of spice trade with Kerala. The religion of Islam was also by these traders from Middle East, who later settled in Coastal belt of Kerala. To this day Muslims are very proficient in trade and commerce. Muslims in Kerala, as anywhere else in the world, are close-knit unit clear-cut religious and political agenda.